The Catholic Faith of the Chilean Miners

The events of the past 24 hours have been amazing, emotional and inspirational. The well planned and flawlessly executed rescue of the 33 miners has been a source of hope and joy across the world. Many pundits have opined about the many reasons the miners survived. For the most part the comments center on things physical and possibly mental. But some have been bold enough to dare mention the faith aspect. And if you follow more closely the intimate reports of family and friends and yes, the miners themselves, there was a lot of faith involved and that faith is decidedly Catholic.

Throughout the entire ordeal, as the families, friends and co-workers of the trapped miners gathered daily there was a constant presence of the Catholic Church. Priests and even a Bishop or two would offer Mass in close proximity to the rescue efforts.

After the men were discovered to be safe and huddled in the location where they would live for 69-70 days they began to request many things be sent down. Some things were for their survival, others for comfort. But a profound request was for rosaries, a crucifix and other sacramentals which became their makeshift shrine.

One of the men, Mario Gomez, the oldest and the one considered most ill, became the spiritual leader of the group. They spent much time in prayer. They offered prayers to God and prayers asking for the intercession of Mary. When Mario emerged from the mine shaft earlier today, before he would even hug his wife, he knelt in prayer and thanksgiving. Now freed he and his wife, who for some reason never were married in the Church, are now planning the Church wedding they often talked about.

Another aspect of the Catholic influence at the scene of the rescue effort was the presence of a statue of St. Lawrence, deacon & martyr. St. Lawrence is the patron saint of miners. The faithful Catholics of Chile who work in mining pray through St. Lawrence for protection because he worked among the faithful who were hiding and worshiping in the catacombs underground in Rome to avoid persecution. The detail of the religious statue used at the mine site of St. Lawrence is remarkable as the saint is shown wearing the dalmatic; the vestment particular to the Deacon. Amazing.

The most important aspect of this whole rescue; the entire situation from the very first day of the mine collapse, has been prayer. Family and friends were first and then the prayers of an entire nation joined in as well as people of faith and goodwill across the world. And those answered prayers tonight are yielding the safe return of 33 men, entombed for over two months and the rescue team. What a marvelous story.

St. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, pray for us.

To God be all the Glory!